The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-16-2007, 11:53 AM
Nevin's Avatar
Nevin Nevin is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalona, IA
Posts: 1,200
Help with OBD1 CEL

Ok, I have a '95 SVX AWD and over the past couple of weeks, the check engine light has come on at odd times. Usually it's only on for a SPLIT second, and I just think I'm seeing things, but today it finally came on and stayed on. I searched on here to see what I could find, and someone had a nice link to a document which I think explained hwo to pull the codes and what they meant, but my computer was unable to open the file for some reason. The original posters problem turned out to be a faulty coolant sensor, if I recall correctly... but that is neither here nor there.

To the point though, if someone would be kind enough to paraphrase to me how to pull the codes, etc... that would be great! I'm not stranger to using a paper clip an jumping pins if I need to, but I just need to know which ones and all that. I tried our scanner at the shop(Snap-On) and when I entered the vehicle, it just told me that I needed some other scanner to read the codes.

So if anyone could help, I'd greatly appreciate it!

-nevin
__________________
Jesus is the remedy
2015 Expedition EL Ecoboost
Ebony Pearl '95 Subaru SVX LSi

Home of the Bontrager Works 22mm rear sway bar!!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-16-2007, 12:06 PM
Crazy_pilot's Avatar
Crazy_pilot Crazy_pilot is offline
Moar shifty!
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada. Eh?
Posts: 4,560
Send a message via MSN to Crazy_pilot
Registered SVX
Here's the how-to on checking codes, it's a PDF file:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/How-To/33055.pdf

If you can't open it, remove the drivers side kick panel (under the fuse box, just pull it off) and you'll see two big blue wires that have open ends. There will be a bunch of electrical connecters as well. You need to find a black connecter which has six slots along the bottom and 4 across the top row with a clip in the middle of the top row. Hold it with the clip upwards and the holes facing you. Plug one of the blue wires into the inner top left hole (the one beside the top left corner). Turn the ignition to on (don't start) and watch your CEL. Every long flash = 10, and every short flash = 1. It will run through all of the codes and then repeat until you remove the key.

Hope you can make sense of my rambling
__________________
Chris

92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold
2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-16-2007, 12:09 PM
Nevin's Avatar
Nevin Nevin is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalona, IA
Posts: 1,200
Awesome, thanks Chris. I'll give it a try this afternoon and see what happens!

p.s. Way to be quick on the draw. I only posted this like 7 minutes ago! hahahah
__________________
Jesus is the remedy
2015 Expedition EL Ecoboost
Ebony Pearl '95 Subaru SVX LSi

Home of the Bontrager Works 22mm rear sway bar!!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-16-2007, 12:23 PM
Crazy_pilot's Avatar
Crazy_pilot Crazy_pilot is offline
Moar shifty!
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada. Eh?
Posts: 4,560
Send a message via MSN to Crazy_pilot
Registered SVX
lol, just luck. I clicked the new posts button and saw this.
__________________
Chris

92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold
2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-16-2007, 05:26 PM
Nevin's Avatar
Nevin Nevin is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalona, IA
Posts: 1,200
Ok, pulled the code and it was code 21. Any idea on the cause/remedy of this code?
__________________
Jesus is the remedy
2015 Expedition EL Ecoboost
Ebony Pearl '95 Subaru SVX LSi

Home of the Bontrager Works 22mm rear sway bar!!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-16-2007, 05:36 PM
Crazy_pilot's Avatar
Crazy_pilot Crazy_pilot is offline
Moar shifty!
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada. Eh?
Posts: 4,560
Send a message via MSN to Crazy_pilot
Registered SVX
Once again with my ninja replies:

Code 21 is...You guessed it! Faulty coolant temp sensor.

(methinks I need to step away from the computer)

Oh wait, Earl has 13K+ posts to my measly 1500. Never mind then.
__________________
Chris

92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold
2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-16-2007, 05:38 PM
SVXRide's Avatar
SVXRide SVXRide is offline
Official AutoX Part Breaker
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Midlothian, VA 23112
Posts: 8,138
Registered SVX
coolant temp sensor....which has been known to keep a car from starting when it goes totally bad...
-Bill
__________________
Retired NASA Rocket Scientist

Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023

Center Network Member #989

'92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33
'92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension
'92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place)
My Locker
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-16-2007, 10:17 PM
Nevin's Avatar
Nevin Nevin is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalona, IA
Posts: 1,200
Hmm.. well mine must be totally bad, because as of tonight when I went to leave my buddies house... the car would not start!

Gosh, and I JUST finished buying a new OEM fuel pump online. Well, that once again just shows how crappy the "jump to conclusions" game is.

Anyone want to buy a new OEM fuel pump? Actually,I'll probably just put it in anyways. Seems like good maintenance. I have run the car less than 1/4 tank alot so far this winter, and I'd be willing to bet that the 'ole girls not pumping what she used to.
__________________
Jesus is the remedy
2015 Expedition EL Ecoboost
Ebony Pearl '95 Subaru SVX LSi

Home of the Bontrager Works 22mm rear sway bar!!

Last edited by Nevin; 12-16-2007 at 10:28 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-16-2007, 10:22 PM
YourConfused YourConfused is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,276
"jump to conclusions"
Love that movie.
__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin


blk 92' LSL w/ average mods

pics here http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/yourconfused/


Cash68: "Hmm, I wouldn't brag about beating Escorts. That's like saying you tricked a retarded person."
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-17-2007, 07:49 AM
LetItSnow's Avatar
LetItSnow LetItSnow is offline
Still Cant' Say the Z-Word
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 2,338
Send a message via AIM to LetItSnow
Registered SVX
Make sure you clear the code after you swap the sensor! The car will act the same until you do. I just went through the same thing.
__________________
Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-17-2007, 07:18 PM
Nevin's Avatar
Nevin Nevin is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalona, IA
Posts: 1,200
That's the plan. Thanks for the tip, anyways!
__________________
Jesus is the remedy
2015 Expedition EL Ecoboost
Ebony Pearl '95 Subaru SVX LSi

Home of the Bontrager Works 22mm rear sway bar!!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-07-2008, 09:21 AM
Octanerush Octanerush is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: mississauga,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 50
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot View Post
Here's the how-to on checking codes, it's a PDF file:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/How-To/33055.pdf

If you can't open it, remove the drivers side kick panel (under the fuse box, just pull it off) and you'll see two big blue wires that have open ends. There will be a bunch of electrical connecters as well. You need to find a black connecter which has six slots along the bottom and 4 across the top row with a clip in the middle of the top row. Hold it with the clip upwards and the holes facing you. Plug one of the blue wires into the inner top left hole (the one beside the top left corner). Turn the ignition to on (don't start) and watch your CEL. Every long flash = 10, and every short flash = 1. It will run through all of the codes and then repeat until you remove the key.

Hope you can make sense of my rambling
is there a list/chart somewhere that shows how many flash = what the problem is?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-07-2008, 09:27 AM
lhopp77's Avatar
lhopp77 lhopp77 is offline
Old Timer (age that is)
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico
Posts: 3,514
Send a message via Yahoo to lhopp77
Registered SVX
How To

Quote:
Originally Posted by Octanerush View Post
is there a list/chart somewhere that shows how many flash = what the problem is?
Also, located in teh How-To Documents.


http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/How-To/14337.doc

Lee
__________________
SVXx2
92 SVX LS-L Silver
92 SVX LS-L Burgundy (structurally challenged with 2792 miles)
96 SVX LSi Red
92 SVX LS Pearl (Parts)
01 F150 4X4 Red
(+6 with other members of the family)

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122